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Bisphenol A, or BPA a chemical found in numerous plastics that contain our foods and make up some water bottles and baby bottles has been linked to the development of obesity.

Bisphenol A, or BPA exposure during the development of a fetus in the womb and exposure while in infancy is associated with obesity later in life according to new research presented at the European Congress on Obesity.

Obviously most people are aware that poor eating and exercise habits are the major causes of obesity,however more subtle factors such as environmental chemicals may tip the odds in favor of becoming obese as well. BPA is a chemical that is quite common and mimics the effects of certain female estrogen compounds. It has been implicated in other health problems such as diabetes and increased risk for some types of cancer.

The new research shows that when pregnant mice receive a dose of BPA similar to that which humans are getting from their environment, they produce babies that grow up to be obese. The gene function of the mice appears to be affected. Also the chemicals affect the metabolism in the animals and lets them become fat more easily.

Earlier studies have shown evidence that Bisphenol A is transferred from plastic food containers and bottles, from plastic wrap and from the resin that lines food cans into the food . Bisphenol A has been found in a large number of individuals examined in industrialized countries. It is seen in the bloodstream and
urine, breast milk, amniotic fluid and other bodily fluids. BPA can increase the number of fat cells in the body.

Dr, Beverly Rubin from Tufts University in the United States has shown that female mice that were exposed to BPA in the womb had more fat in adulthood. The amount of calories and exercise levels were no different between the mice that became obese and those that were normal weight the only difference was BPA exposure. This study showed a change in insulin sensitivity and sugar metabolism. The weight regulating hormone leptin was also adversely affected by BPA. In utero exposure to a hormone disrupting chemical such as BPA can have long lasting after effects according to the researchers.

Suzanne Fenton, a researcher with the US EPA showed that another chemical, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) which is a chemical used in many items like microwave popcorn bags and other food packaging - was administered to pregnant female mice, their babies had low birth weights and later devloped into obese adults. The mice that were not exposed to the PFOA had a normal birth weight and adult weight. PFOA is found in the blood of individuals all over the world but is found at levels 100 times greater in people who live in industrially polluted areas. These studies looked at the lowest doses examined to date and showed that the obesity effect can occur at lower levels of these chemicals. Suprisingly, the obesity effects of these chemicals seem to occur onlywhen the doses are low. Researchers stated that different health effects may be occuring when the doses of these chemicals are higher.

ref: http://www.eco2008.org/documents/2NewconcernsonhormonedisruptorsandobesityMay1408.pdf